U.S. military operations killed 153 civilians last year, Pentagon says

Key Points:

• The Pentagon acknowledged that U.S. military operations in 2025 killed over 150 civilians and injured more than 240, with all confirmed casualties stemming from three airstrikes in Yemen during Operation Rough Rider against Iran-backed Houthi forces.
• The report to Congress revealed significant civilian deaths in Yemen between March and May 2025, including 80 killed near Ras Isa Port and 68 near Saada, based on intelligence and imagery without site visits or interviews.
• Despite these disclosures, the Pentagon excluded casualties from controversial strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have raised legal concerns over potential extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers.
• The Pentagon's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, responsible for mitigating civilian harm, has faced severe budget and staffing cuts under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who prioritizes military lethality over legal constraints on targeting.
• Recent Pentagon reports and inspector general findings indicate that civilian harm mitigation efforts are eroding due to these cuts, with ongoing reviews of policies and programs still pending, while investigations into notable incidents such as a strike on an Iranian girls' school remain unreleased.